Social Determinants of Health and What Mothers Say They Need and Want After Release From Jail.

Identifying the biopsychosocial needs of mothers who have been released from jail is critical to understanding the best ways to support their health and stability after release. In May through August 2014, we interviewed 15 mothers who had been released from an urban jail about their reentry experiences, and we analyzed transcripts for themes. Eight domains of community reentry emerged through analysis: behavioral health services, education, employment, housing, material resources, medical care, relationships with children, and social support. Participants defined barriers to successful reentry, which paralleled the social determinants of health, and shared suggestions that could be used to mitigate these barriers

Factors Contributing to Poor Physical Health in Incarcerated Women

Prisons have become the primary health care provider for some of the poorest and sickest women in the United States. By virtue of both biological sex and gender, incarcerated women have health needs different from those of their male counterparts. The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to understand better women’s perceptions of how prison has affected their physical health. We conducted this investigation in a maximum- security women’s prison in the United States using focus group methodology (12 focus groups, made up of 65 women). Women described several specific prison- based factors that affected their physical health: limited and complicated access to care; nutritional concerns; limited physical activity; and smoking in prison. We discuss these findings in relation to the gender- based health issues facing incarcerated women

Obstetrical outcomes of teenagers with adult and peer age partners

While headlines report the epidemic of “adolescent sex” and “teenage pregnancy” little is noted about the role of adult age men in over half of teenage pregnancies (Males and Chew, 1996). Recent research on adult male involvement in teenage pregnancy reveals that the age of the adult male is indirectly related to the age of the teenage girl, leaving the youngest of girls partnered with the oldest of men. Vast age differences between adult men and teenage girls may make teenage girls vulnerable to pressure, exploitation, and abuse (Darroch, Landry and Oslak, 1999). For many teenagers, this exploitation follows a lifetime of childhood victimization, including physical and sexual abuse (Boyer and Fine, 1992). In addition to the victimization of the teenager, her infant may also be at risk for abuse and neglect by either parent (Elders and Albert, 1998). The risk of the intergenerational transmission of abuse increases exponentially when abused mothers are partnered with adult age men. It was the purpose of this investigation to compare outcomes of teenage pregnancies (\u3c17 at conception) fathered by adult age men (4+ years older than teenager) to those fathered by peer age boys (\u3c4 years older than teenager). Specifically, the prenatal (sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care usage, domestic violence, trauma visits, and school attendance) and obstetric (preterm birth, low birth weight, infant feeding methods) outcomes for each group were explored. Teenagers were interviewed following delivery on the postpartum floor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Data on the prenatal and obstetric outcomes were gathered using a structured interview guide and chart review. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1989), Maton and Teti\u27s School Status Questionnaire (Stevenson, Maton, and Teti, 1998), and a modified version of the Abuse Assessment Screen (Parker and McFarlane, 1991) were also utilized. Characteristics of the relationship with the father of the baby were gathered at delivery. Data were analyzed using quantitative methods. The Roy Adaptation Model served as the guiding framework for this investigation

Obstetrical outcomes of teenagers with adult and peer age partners

While headlines report the epidemic of “adolescent sex” and “teenage pregnancy” little is noted about the role of adult age men in over half of teenage pregnancies (Males and Chew, 1996). Recent research on adult male involvement in teenage pregnancy reveals that the age of the adult male is indirectly related to the age of the teenage girl, leaving the youngest of girls partnered with the oldest of men. Vast age differences between adult men and teenage girls may make teenage girls vulnerable to pressure, exploitation, and abuse (Darroch, Landry and Oslak, 1999). For many teenagers, this exploitation follows a lifetime of childhood victimization, including physical and sexual abuse (Boyer and Fine, 1992). In addition to the victimization of the teenager, her infant may also be at risk for abuse and neglect by either parent (Elders and Albert, 1998). The risk of the intergenerational transmission of abuse increases exponentially when abused mothers are partnered with adult age men. It was the purpose of this investigation to compare outcomes of teenage pregnancies (\u3c17 at conception) fathered by adult age men (4+ years older than teenager) to those fathered by peer age boys (\u3c4 years older than teenager). Specifically, the prenatal (sexually transmitted infections, prenatal care usage, domestic violence, trauma visits, and school attendance) and obstetric (preterm birth, low birth weight, infant feeding methods) outcomes for each group were explored. Teenagers were interviewed following delivery on the postpartum floor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Data on the prenatal and obstetric outcomes were gathered using a structured interview guide and chart review. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1989), Maton and Teti\u27s School Status Questionnaire (Stevenson, Maton, and Teti, 1998), and a modified version of the Abuse Assessment Screen (Parker and McFarlane, 1991) were also utilized. Characteristics of the relationship with the father of the baby were gathered at delivery. Data were analyzed using quantitative methods. The Roy Adaptation Model served as the guiding framework for this investigation

Beliefs about Higher Education for Incarcerated People Through the Lens of Public Health Prevention : Beliefs about Higher Education for Incarcerated People

Incarcerated individuals are one of the most educationally disadvantaged populations in U.S. Limited education is a risk factor for initial incarceration and recidivism. Despite robust empirical findings supporting post-secondary correctional education (PSCE) as an evidence-based intervention that reduces crime, some individuals are reluctant to support their adoption more widely. An opinion piece in the New York Times suggesting that prisons be turned into colleges provides an opportunity to better understand public opinion regarding PSCE programs through the lens of public health prevention. Although, many readers were supportive of PSCE’s as a means to prevent recidivism, many questioned if the target population was capable of completing college level work, if these programs would incentivize criminal behavior and felt prisoners are not deserving of the opportunity to take college courses, especially as student debt and college costs are rising. Lastly, potential implications and recommendations for policymakers and higher education leaders are discussed.  &nbsp

Financial Barriers and Utilization of Medical Services in Prison: An Examination of Co-payments, Personal Assets, and Individual Characteristics

Although research has found that requiring incarcerated individuals to pay fees for medical service decreases use, there are still important unanswered questions about this association: 1) Is the copayment fee a barrier to those seeking medical attention? 2) If so, what individual factors are associated with viewing the copayments as the reason to avoid seeing a medical professional? Using 2012 survey data collected from 45 incarcerated persons housed in a maximum security prison on the East Coast, it was discovered that over 70% of the men surveyed reported avoiding medical services at least once in the past three months due to the five dollar copayment. Further, participants with higher levels of education were significantly less likely to indicate the co-payment fee was a barrier and avoid getting medical attention, relative to those with lower levels of education. Lastly, potential explanations and policy suggestions are discussed